On Oct. 1, the Defense Department will bid farewell to Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In the final weeks before his upcoming retirement after 40 years on active duty, the chairman paid tribute to his former units, today's troops and their families as well as the nation's veterans.

Gates Praises Retiring Chairman

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates praised retiring Marine Gen. Peter Pace during the general’s last news conference as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “For four decades, General Pace has served our country with dedication and distinction through times of peace and times of war, (and) during periods of great transition,” Gates said. Story

Chairman Thanks 'Incredible Enlisted Partners'

"What I have learned along the way, in retrospect, is that by trying to take care of those in my charge, they have taken care of me."

Marine Gen. Peter Pace attributes his success during his 40-year military career to "listening to the incredible enlisted leaders” who have been his partners. Story | Photos | Video

40-Year Military Career Based on Integrity

"It all boils down to personal integrity. You start out ... with your name and your personal integrity. Nobody can take either one of them away from you."

Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who marked his 40th anniversary on active duty on June 7, 2007, prides himself on speaking the truth as he sees it. Story

Troops Teach Valuable Lessons

Marine Gen. Peter Pace visited Chaminade High School in Mineola, N.Y., Sept. 19, 2007, to honor Lance Cpl. Guido Farinaro, the first Marine to die following 2nd Lt. Peter Pace’s orders. The four-star general keeps a picture of the young lance corporal who died in Vietnam in 1968 under the glass on his desk in the Pentagon to remind him of the sacrifices young servicemembers make. Story

SPECIAL REPORTSThe chairman visited troops at home and abroad and met with local officials in countries around the globe.

In the final weeks of a 40-year military career that took him to the pinnacle of military leadership, Marine Gen. Peter Pace paid a visit in Iraq to the first unit to which he was assigned and with which he served in the Tet Offensive in South Vietnam. Story

Today’s Troops Reassure Outgoing Chairman

A young Army sergeant in Afghanistan recently reassured the nation’s highest-ranking four-star general that it’s OK to retire after 40 years on active duty. Story

PROFILE: Striving to be a 'Straight Shooter'

Good leadership is something you have to strive for every day, according to Marine Gen. Peter Pace. Once you begin to believe you've achieved it, he said, "You start to get sloppy about paying attention." Special

PRAISE AND HONORS
Commentary: In Touch With the Troops

Marine Gen. Peter Pace has not spent his tenure as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff sitting behind a desk at the Pentagon. He’s traveled the world, meeting as many troops as possible. AFPS reporter Jim Garamone shares his view of what it’s like on the road with the chairman. Commentary

Colombian President, Armed Forces Honor Friend

Colombia’s president and top military leaders turned out, Sept. 13, 2007, to honor and bid farewell to America’s top ranking general. Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos awarded Marine Gen. Peter Pace the Cross of Boyaca, the highest military award that can be conferred on a Colombian or foreign officer. Story | PhotosSouthern Command Praises Outgoing Chairman

IN THEIR OWN WORDSPace shares his thoughts on the meaning of service, and troops speak about their senior leader.

The Chairman

"Serving the nation's men and women in uniform is not a burden. It's an honor, and I'm proud to have the opportunity to do it."

“As I leave the active ranks, I’m sad. I’m not sad because I’m not going to be chairman any more; … I’m sad because I won’t be able to put the uniform on and on occasion get out on the battlefield and hug my fellow servicemembers, tell them I love them and thank them for what they are doing for their country.”

The Troops

“At the end of the day, he’s a Marine. ... He’s a motivator. He’s the prime example of a leader. Outside of being chairman, outside of being in the news all the time, I know if we’re out there in a fighting hole together, he’d be the one I’d want to lead me.” — Marine Sgt. Robert Boyd, Sept. 14, 2007

“The thing that is absolutely unquestioned about Pete Pace is his honesty, integrity and his constant ability to speak truth to power. .. He is a role model for every officer and every enlisted person who wears a uniform as well as every civilian in the Department of Defense. He is an idol to us all.” — Navy Adm. James Stavridis, Sept. 14, 2007